Research Article

The Role of T Cells and Macrophages in Asthma Pathogenesis: A New Perspective on Mutual Crosstalk

Figure 2

Macrophage dysfunction in asthma pathogenesis. In response to allergens, macrophages differentiate into classically activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. The arrows refer to the cytokines and chemokines secreted by macrophages, including tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interleukin (IL), and interferon- (IFN-) γ. M1 macrophages produce T helper (Th) 1-associated and Th17-associated cytokines, affecting the neutrophils. M2 macrophages further differentiate into M2a, M2b, and M2c macrophages, affecting the eosinophils.